Corruption? LOL, this isn't corruption. This is AMERICA. Fifa's red cards have no power here! If you do not like it, then build your own economic and military superpower. GOOD DAY
It is also true that a rule was used to delay the suspension. That is just as much of a rule as the first rule. And it did happen before -- with Cristiano Ronaldo. FIFA is an economic animal, earning billions in revenue. They will act in their best interest, provided their rules are followed. In this case, two rules were followed. A) The red card + B) the delay in the suspension. GOOD DAY
This just feels wrong. Just because there's precedent in what FIFA did with Ronaldo doesn't mean either situation is right. It was a bad call. I'm not doubting that for a second. But 36 hours before the next game and FIFA steps in now? If I'm the Belgian federation, I'm getting lawyers ready. I'm glad he's playing but it just feels wrong.
If FIFA allowed for governmental interference, that's a major breach of it's own rules. They've kicked out entire federations for governments meddling in their federations.
I understand all of the troublesome issues here, but what's FIFA gonna do...take FIFA to court? Again, my question is: in what court with what jurisdiction? And what would the aftermath entail? They gonna replay the game...and then the next ones? There's no way a court case could be decided before the game's played.
An appeal with the same committee would be the obvious first choice and the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne the highest order. I think they have made urgent rulings before, so Belgium could possibly challenge between the Ro16 and Quarters - but this is pure speculation from my side, I am nowhere near a substantial opinion here. Still, as it seems, FIFA takes a huge gamble here, same with the US if they decide to play Balogun.
I don't know the answers to any of that but I'm sure Belgium is looking at all of their options. Could be they do nothing. I'm sure it's serving as some pretty healthy motivation for them. Either way, it just feels wrong. It's even more strange to have it happen for one of our players.
Poch is going to play him. Would be silly not to. It's not the team's fault FIFA made this very strange decision. It technically falls within FIFA's regulations. The question long term will be...what prompted them to even go down this road? I'm spacing on who it is...but they just suspended another federation recently because of governmental interference. On another note...Klopp is official? How do you feel about that? I'd assume happy?
A very weird situation that's going to mar a very great WC if the US does win. Also, I think/hope we'd beat Belgium without him.
